Landslide: We warned residents against putting up structures in a ravine – SEMA Landslide: We warned residents against putting up structures in a ravine – SEMA
By: Diana Okon-Effiong The Cross River Government says it expects residents of flood-prone communities to comply with its earlier admonition to relocate to safer... Landslide: We warned residents against putting up structures in a ravine – SEMA
Tragedy struck the Edim Otop community in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State as eight members of Amos Akaniyene family were submerged in a mudslide with three critically injured.

Tragedy struck the Edim Otop community in Calabar Municipality of Cross River State as eight members of Amos Akaniyene family were submerged in a mudslide with three critically injured.

By: Diana Okon-Effiong

The Cross River Government says it expects residents of flood-prone communities to comply with its earlier admonition to relocate to safer areas to save lives. The government’s position was restated Thursday in Calabar by Mr David Akate, the Director of Information, for the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
No less than nine persons were buried alive while others sustained injuries by a landslide in Edim Otop community in the Calabar metropolis Wednesday after heavy rains that lasted for more than five hours. The landslide rolled off a ravine and swallowed the residential building located within its vicinity.
Akate said: “We have been talking to the community members for several years now to vacate from there.
“We have been telling them that the place is not only a ravine but a flood-prone area but they refused to take our advice.
Akate said the government have taken responsibility for the treatment of the survivors who are responding to treatment.
According to him the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the state General Hospital mortuary.
He also told our correspondent that residents have once again been told to vacate the place to avoid further disaster.
Amos Akaniyene’s family was submerged in the mudslide with three critically injured.
The victims included his pregnant wife, Gloria, mother-in-law, Mrs. Ikwor Edet Etim, his sons David Akaniyene, Emen Akaniyene, 7, daughter, Ekaete Akaniyene, 10, sister-in-law, Asuquo.
The man reportedly escaped death because he went to control the flood generated by the rain from affecting his house.
An eyewitness, Mrs. Eno Akpan, said: “We were just sitting outside discussing about the heavy-down pour when we suddenly saw trees rolling down from the top of the hill.
“Within a twinkle of an eye it collapsed on the building and buried the entire occupants.
“Well, at that time there was nothing we could do because everybody started running away in confusion and we were hearing cries and shouting from some of children from within.
“But by the time help could come, the family was gone and only three were rescued,’’ she said.
Akaniyene also said he returned from his bricklaying work to be with his family on fateful day.
“But when the rain started about 3:00pm, I tried to control the flood so that the water can pass through.
“ But suddenly I saw a kind of slide coming down from the top of hill with a loud noise.
“I did not even give us any chance and within a minute the slide collapsed on the house and condemned the entire family and 8 persons died including my unborn twins.
“I have suffered in life. I suffered to buy the house, I suffered to build and I was still suffering to train my children and suddenly this type of disaster came upon me again.
 “I am finished in life without my entire family members. If only my family survived and the house is gone, I will thank God very well.
“I only pray God to accept their souls and plead with government to help me bury my family members as well as provide another house for me. For now, I am finished,’’ he lamented.

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